Putin’s Strategy on Belarus
Why Russia May Discretely Encourage a Transition of Power in Minsk
Since his widely contested re-election on August 9, 2020, Alexander Lukashenko has become completely dependent on Russia for his rule over Belarus. As the anti-Lukashenko protests continue, Moscow is gaining more leverage than ever over Minsk. However, there is a growing sense that Moscow, while backing the regime in public, behind the scenes encourages talks on a transition plan. The EU should seize this opportunity to support internal dialogue and help preserve the sovereignty of Belarus.
